Ba Xian An Monastery

Located on Changle Fang Street in the eastern suburb of Xian City, Ba Xian An Monastery was built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to dedicate to the legendary Eight Immortals Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguai Li, Cao Guojiu, Lv Dongbin, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu. Besides, Xian Ba xian An Monastery is the biggest Taoist temple in Xian and is a famous Taoist architecture in northwest China.

Maybe from somewhere you heard that it named Ba Xian An Palace, that’s true because when the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing in 1900, Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi escaped to Xian and lived in Ba Xian An Monastery, then after back to Beijing, Empress Dowager donated taels of silver to fund the renovation of the monastery and renamed it into Ba Xian An Palace.

Filling with not counting Mountain Gate, Paifang, Screen Wall, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower,the present Ba Xian An Monastery is not the original look, most of the repaired and expanded structures are built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This monstery could be divided into three parts. The first section includes five halls, dedicating to the protective god of Taoism-Wang Lingguan. The second section has two halls where the color-painted statues of the Eight Immortals are worshiped in the back hall. The third section is the Main Hall with a tablet of 'Dong Tian Yun Ji' hanging on its lintel. Here is believed to be the bed room of Empress Dowager Cixi. Nowadays, inside this hall, sacrifices were made to Dou Mu Yuan Jun (a high ranked god in Taoism) and other gods. On the east of this hall, there is a Lvzu (Lv Dongbin) Hall, and Yaowang (King of Chinese medicine) Hall on the west.

Moreover, the 100-yard street, just located outside the monastery, is a nice place to wander and buy many curios, such as bronze mirrors, folding screen, four treasures of study, gallipots, porcelain and folding fans etc. Besides, on the 14th, 15th and 16th day of the fourth lunar month, Xian Ba Xian An Monastery will be the right spot to witness Taoist celebrations in Shaanxi Province Xian city. On the Double Nine Festival (9th day of the 9th lunar month), Ceremonious religious activities are also worth a visit.

Ba Xian An Monastery Notes

Admission Fee: CNY 3Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:30

Transportations:1. Take bus No. 709 and get off at Baxianan Stop;2. Take buses No. 8, 27, 37, 43, 203, 300, 602, 604, K630, 704, 709, 721 or Tourist Bus No.10, and get off at Jishiguai Stop, and then walk east to the Gengxin Street. Turn left and walks north about 200 meters (220 yards) and you'll find it.